The City of Kaohsiung, with a population of 1.5 million, is located on the south west coast of Taiwan and facing Hong Kong over the horizon. The flags of 33 nations fluttered in the light breeze during the Opening Ceremony of the Waterski, Wakeboard and Barefoot World Games competitions. This was a far cry from the conditions of the previous weekend when a typhoon hit the Kaohsiung area. This caused major disruption to the many outdoor World Games sports and in particular canoe polo, which ultimately was switched indoors to a swimming pool.
Because of the weather last week, some minor delays followed in the set up of the picturesque site here at the ornamental Lotus Pond. This is surrounded by a number of very popular tourist attractions including the giant Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and the Confucius Temple. All overlook the competition site. The City of Kaohsiung has made a huge …Â Details
If Alberto Contador’s yellow jersey is unlikely to be threatened in Thursday’s time trial in Annecy, the battle for the podium places should heat up on the 40.5 kms of the 18th stage held around the town’s lake.
“It’s not a secret that we’re not great time trial specialists. But the time we’re going to lose, maybe we’ll take it back on the Ventoux (the final steep climb of stage 20),†said Frank Schleck after winning Wednesday’s 17th stage in Le Grand Bornand.
The Luxembourg rider and his younger brother Andy are currently third and second overall, 3:25 and 2:26 behind respectively but this unique feat may prove short-lived.
Three of the best time trial specialists in the world,  … Details
French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised Lance Armstrong’s new lease on life after watching Wednesday’s 17th stage in the race’s director car.
“Armstrong has won seven Tours and he is coming back at 37 with the state of mind of a young man,†Sarkozy told French TV after the stage. “He is coming back to make a good result, to enjoy it—and to fight for his foundation. And God knows how much we need to fight against cancer. It’s giving hope to all the ill people.â€
A longtime admirer of Armstrong, Sarkozy repeated his commitment to the fight against doping and defended the Tour’s efforts to eradicate it, such as the … Details